Nature-based solutions (NBS) are actions to protect, restore and sustainably manage ecosystems that support biodiversity, while ensuring human well-being. They involve managing ecosystems to mimic and optimise natural processes to achieve target release levels.
NBS should contribute directly to societal challenges (access to water, poverty...) by relying on ecosystems while generating benefits for biodiversity. They are flexible, adaptable alternatives that provide numerous co-benefits and are economically viable and sustainable.
NBS fit perfectly into cities, for example floodable playgrounds or car parks with permeable pavements, allowing better infiltration of water into the ground to avoid flooding.
An NBS provides a number of ecosystem services, other than the one for which it is established. For example, in the case of a wetland, it provides a habitat for fauna and flora thus promoting biodiversity, while protecting the coastline from storms or flooding.
If you want to go further, here are several books on the subject:
Several countries, such as european countries or China, have embarked on this development path.
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